How low to be LCD?

KaysKidz
KaysKidz Posts: 208 Member
edited November 2024 in Social Groups
I am new here, and new to eating low carb. By most of your standards, I still eat a lot of carbs, but I'm eating way less then I use to. I have set my carbs at 75, and my net is below that. I've gone as low as 18 one day, but it wasn't intentional! I started by just cutting bread and pasta and the weight started coming off. I've only been back on MFP and tracking for 6 days, but it helps hold me accountable. In the last 3-4 weeks, I've lost over 11lbs, with probably 3lbs of that since coming back to MFP and tracking everything. So, my numbers are working, for now. I know they will have to be tweaked periodically and I'm ok with that. I do stay within my calories every day, as I do believe that if you are consuming more calories then you are using, you will gain weight regardless. But in the same breath, I also know that our bodies process calories from different types of foods differently. So it's not black and white. I don't even pretend to understand it! I just know that if I'm staying under my calories and keeping my carbs to 75 or less and my protein and fat up, I'm losing weight. Mostly water right now I'm sure, but that's OK, because I wasn't losing before!!

I'm still learning. I have a dear friend doing keto for medical reasons and has lost over 100lbs. I don't know that I can ever get to keto, but if I don't have to and can do well at 75, why shouldn't I? Is there a reason I NEED to cut my carbs lower? I don't think any food group should be off limits, within reason. I just want to make sure I'm making what I eat count. :)

Replies

  • Twibbly
    Twibbly Posts: 1,065 Member
    You do what works for you. If 75g carbs works for you and you're not having cravings, stick with it. Tweak as needed. Most of us can go into reasons why keto can help various things, but diet is one of the most individual things there is. If it works, do it. If it doesn't work, change it.
  • tlmeyn
    tlmeyn Posts: 369 Member
    I was in keto for 3 weeks, but I felt it was just too long. I was tired and didn't feel good. So now I let myself out of keto, or at least let myself go up to 100 carbs once a week. the rest of the days are in the 20-30 carb range. I am going to see how this works. But yes, 20 net carbs is about the limit for keto, but everyone is different. get you keto sticks if you are concerned.
  • Dragonwolf
    Dragonwolf Posts: 5,600 Member
    KaysKidz wrote: »
    I'm still learning. I have a dear friend doing keto for medical reasons and has lost over 100lbs. I don't know that I can ever get to keto, but if I don't have to and can do well at 75, why shouldn't I? Is there a reason I NEED to cut my carbs lower? I don't think any food group should be off limits, within reason. I just want to make sure I'm making what I eat count. :)

    Nitpick -- food groups are an artificial construct, largely influenced by politics, not science. Personally, I've found I'm better off ignoring that whole thing altogether. Eat what makes you happy and healthy and gets you the nutrients you need. There's no need to worry about whether what you've eaten comes from this or that food group, nor is there need to include foods from the food groups for the sake "not cutting out a food group."

    But no, no one is going to take away your "low carber card," just because you don't do keto. As a general guideline to better define "low carb," the "official" group stance is something like 100-150g is the upper limit that we consider "low carb." It's a guideline, though, and there are people in here that sit around that area or a little higher, but do low-glycemic. What matters more is general mindset that a) fat isn't bad, b) not everyone thrives on 50%+ calories from carbohydrates, and c) calories aren't all that matter when trying to lose weight (aka - we're not bomb calorimeters).

    The only reason to go keto if you're having success with a higher carb intake is for the sake of seeing how you do with it. Try it out for a couple of months and see if a nagging joint ache improves, or see how it affects your energy level, or other self experimentation. Just like you probably didn't know how much GI troubles you were really having until you stopped having them (for example), you don't know if how you feel right now is really your best, unless you try something that might improve it even further. Likewise, it can help you find your lower carb tolerance limit. Some people fail miserably on keto levels (beyond the induction phase), and find they work optimally at, say, 60g of carbs, and start tanking below 35g, but again, you won't know that until you play around a little.

    That doesn't mean you have to do this kind of thing, though. If you're content with how you feel at your current carb level, then there's no reason you have to change it. Do what works for you, that's all that really matters.
  • wabmester
    wabmester Posts: 2,748 Member
    edited April 2015
    KaysKidz wrote: »
    Is there a reason I NEED to cut my carbs lower?

    Not for weight loss:
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16685046

    And if you can stay under 75g consistently, you will generate a good quantity of ketones. Maybe not enough to become fully keto-adapted, but enough to get a few of the fringe benefits. :)
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    Dragonwolf wrote: »
    KaysKidz wrote: »
    I'm still learning. I have a dear friend doing keto for medical reasons and has lost over 100lbs. I don't know that I can ever get to keto, but if I don't have to and can do well at 75, why shouldn't I? Is there a reason I NEED to cut my carbs lower? I don't think any food group should be off limits, within reason. I just want to make sure I'm making what I eat count. :)

    Nitpick -- food groups are an artificial construct, largely influenced by politics, not science. Personally, I've found I'm better off ignoring that whole thing altogether. Eat what makes you happy and healthy and gets you the nutrients you need. There's no need to worry about whether what you've eaten comes from this or that food group, nor is there need to include foods from the food groups for the sake "not cutting out a food group."

    But no, no one is going to take away your "low carber card," just because you don't do keto. As a general guideline to better define "low carb," the "official" group stance is something like 100-150g is the upper limit that we consider "low carb." It's a guideline, though, and there are people in here that sit around that area or a little higher, but do low-glycemic. What matters more is general mindset that a) fat isn't bad, b) not everyone thrives on 50%+ calories from carbohydrates, and c) calories aren't all that matter when trying to lose weight (aka - we're not bomb calorimeters).

    The only reason to go keto if you're having success with a higher carb intake is for the sake of seeing how you do with it. Try it out for a couple of months and see if a nagging joint ache improves, or see how it affects your energy level, or other self experimentation. Just like you probably didn't know how much GI troubles you were really having until you stopped having them (for example), you don't know if how you feel right now is really your best, unless you try something that might improve it even further. Likewise, it can help you find your lower carb tolerance limit. Some people fail miserably on keto levels (beyond the induction phase), and find they work optimally at, say, 60g of carbs, and start tanking below 35g, but again, you won't know that until you play around a little.

    That doesn't mean you have to do this kind of thing, though. If you're content with how you feel at your current carb level, then there's no reason you have to change it. Do what works for you, that's all that really matters.

    Here here!!! (or is that hear hear?!) Regardless, SOOO ^^^^ THIS. You have to tweak and find out what works for you... "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Eat for health and to feel good in that health. To heck with anyone else's expectations... if you achieve good health, the rest will follow.

    Best of luck!
  • KeithF6250
    KeithF6250 Posts: 321 Member
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    [

    Here here!!! (or is that hear hear?!) Regardless, SOOO ^^^^

    Best of luck!
    Compromise and say "Hear here!" Makes more sense anyway.

    How do you comfort a grammar Nazi? (Not that i think anyone here qualifies.)
    Pat her on the shoulder and say, "There, their, they're"

    This is one of the most well reasoned threads I've read recently.
  • sljohnson1207
    sljohnson1207 Posts: 818 Member
    I say if you are losing weight at a pace you like, and are feeling very well on 75 g of carbs, don't lower it any further, unless you wish to experiment as mentioned above.
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    KeithF6250 wrote: »
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    [

    Here here!!! (or is that hear hear?!) Regardless, SOOO ^^^^

    Best of luck!
    Compromise and say "Hear here!" Makes more sense anyway.

    How do you comfort a grammar Nazi? (Not that i think anyone here qualifies.)
    Pat her on the shoulder and say, "There, their, they're"

    This is one of the most well reasoned threads I've read recently.

    I'm not exactly a grammar nazi, but I am particular about word choice, and this ^^ just made me laugh out loud! I bet my boss is wondering what I"m doing now.
  • kirkor
    kirkor Posts: 2,530 Member
    Dragonwolf wrote: »
    The only reason to go keto if you're having success with a higher carb intake is for the sake of seeing how you do with it.

    I'm keto for the potential brain health benefits not weight loss, so I won't see how I've done with it for another 30 years or so ;)
  • FIT_Goat
    FIT_Goat Posts: 4,227 Member
    Back when we cleaned the group up, we started from a base of included pretty much anyone who felt they belonged under the heading "Low-Carber".

    My specific opinion was:
    The Low-Carber Daily Forum Group is made up of people following a wide variety of low-carb lifestyles and those who are interested in low-carb lifestyles. We welcome, with open arms, all who endeavor to eat fewer carbs than the generally recommended amount.

    I am hesistant to set any firm line on what is low-carb and what is not. Generally, if you're trying to eat 150g or fewer each day, you'll fit in fine here. While some of us may follow a primal, paleo, ketogenic, Atkins, or other eating plan, we are not any of those labels and we don't require or expect anyone to aspire to them if that's not their thing.

    We welcome carb-cyclers, targeted carbers, carb-haters, net carbers, total carbers, zero carbers, slow-carbers, keto, atkins, and a million other variations. Basically, if you're trying to manipulate the amount of carbs or the type of carbs as part of your diet and wellness plan, you're one of us.
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 7,035 Member
    FIT_Goat wrote: »
    Back when we cleaned the group up, we started from a base of included pretty much anyone who felt they belonged under the heading "Low-Carber".

    My specific opinion was:
    The Low-Carber Daily Forum Group is made up of people following a wide variety of low-carb lifestyles and those who are interested in low-carb lifestyles. We welcome, with open arms, all who endeavor to eat fewer carbs than the generally recommended amount.

    I am hesistant to set any firm line on what is low-carb and what is not. Generally, if you're trying to eat 150g or fewer each day, you'll fit in fine here. While some of us may follow a primal, paleo, ketogenic, Atkins, or other eating plan, we are not any of those labels and we don't require or expect anyone to aspire to them if that's not their thing.

    We welcome carb-cyclers, targeted carbers, carb-haters, net carbers, total carbers, zero carbers, slow-carbers, keto, atkins, and a million other variations. Basically, if you're trying to manipulate the amount of carbs or the type of carbs as part of your diet and wellness plan, you're one of us.

    Yup! Carb-hackers are all welcome! :mrgreen:
  • kbxiii
    kbxiii Posts: 865 Member
    FIT_Goat wrote: »
    Back when we cleaned the group up, we started from a base of included pretty much anyone who felt they belonged under the heading "Low-Carber".

    We welcome carb-cyclers, targeted carbers, carb-haters, net carbers, total carbers, zero carbers, slow-carbers, keto, atkins, and a million other variations. Basically, if you're trying to manipulate the amount of carbs or the type of carbs as part of your diet and wellness plan, you're one of us.

    That's very open minded of the group.
    It feels comfortable here, no judgement, no preaching..
    There's no one right way to do it that'll work wonder for everyone, and that's ok.

    Every diet is an N=1 experiment :)
  • DittoDan
    DittoDan Posts: 1,850 Member
    KaysKidz wrote: »
    I am new here, and new to eating low carb. By most of your standards, I still eat a lot of carbs, but I'm eating way less then I use to. I have set my carbs at 75, and my net is below that. I've gone as low as 18 one day, but it wasn't intentional! I started by just cutting bread and pasta and the weight started coming off. I've only been back on MFP and tracking for 6 days, but it helps hold me accountable. In the last 3-4 weeks, I've lost over 11lbs, with probably 3lbs of that since coming back to MFP and tracking everything. So, my numbers are working, for now. I know they will have to be tweaked periodically and I'm ok with that. I do stay within my calories every day, as I do believe that if you are consuming more calories then you are using, you will gain weight regardless. But in the same breath, I also know that our bodies process calories from different types of foods differently. So it's not black and white. I don't even pretend to understand it! I just know that if I'm staying under my calories and keeping my carbs to 75 or less and my protein and fat up, I'm losing weight. Mostly water right now I'm sure, but that's OK, because I wasn't losing before!!

    I'm still learning. I have a dear friend doing keto for medical reasons and has lost over 100lbs. I don't know that I can ever get to keto, but if I don't have to and can do well at 75, why shouldn't I? Is there a reason I NEED to cut my carbs lower? I don't think any food group should be off limits, within reason. I just want to make sure I'm making what I eat count. :)

    So, "it depends" would be my answer... (more info needed)...

    Are you diabetic or pre-diabetic? That would be a good reason to lower it, because it would do three things, bring your sugars into control, you will reduce your diabetic meds and you will save money.

    I see you have a lot of pounds to lose. If you want to loose quicker & easier, then lower your carbs.

    If you stop losing (stall), that would be a good reason to lower your carbs.

    If you want less hunger, that would be a good reason to lower your carbs.

    If you want less inflammation in your joints, that would be a good reason to lower your carbs.

    I hope this helps,

    Dan the Man from Michigan
    It's Ketogenic or Bariatric! How I Found the Ketogenic Diet
    Blog #10 Keto: Abbreviations, Acronyms & Terminology Used on the LCD & Keto Discussion Groups
    Blog #13 DittoDan's Milestone's, First's And Good Changes Since Starting the Ketogenic Diet
    How I got Off of Diabetic Prescriptions Drugs Since I Started Keto

  • KeithF6250
    KeithF6250 Posts: 321 Member
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    KeithF6250 wrote: »
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    [

    Here here!!! (or is that hear hear?!) Regardless, SOOO ^^^^

    Best of luck!
    Compromise and say "Hear here!" Makes more sense anyway.

    How do you comfort a grammar Nazi? (Not that i think anyone here qualifies.)
    Pat her on the shoulder and say, "There, their, they're"

    This is one of the most well reasoned threads I've read recently.

    I'm not exactly a grammar nazi, but I am particular about word choice, and this ^^ just made me laugh out loud! I bet my boss is wondering what I"m doing now.

    Whether at work or home, it is always good to have a cover story prepared if one is sitting at a computer and laughing.

This discussion has been closed.